With the midterm elections less than a month away, Republican candidates in key Senate and gubernatorial races are taking divergent stances on former President Donald Trump, with some distancing themselves from his policies while others continue to embrace them.
In Maine, incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins highlighted her record of voting against Trump during a debate with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. Collins stated she had voted with President Joe Biden 91% of the time and noted she had voted against Trump 137 times in the current Congress alone. She also criticized Trump’s trade war with Canada, emphasizing the economic ties between Maine and its northern neighbor. Additionally, Collins expressed concerns about the U.S. involvement in Iran, calling the approach “not well thought out” and citing negative impacts on global oil prices.
In Michigan, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. John James called for an immediate end to U.S. military engagement in Iran, stating, “the war in Iran needs to be over yesterday.” Meanwhile, in Georgia, gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson—who previously campaigned as “Trump’s favorite governor”—shifted his rhetoric. When his Democratic opponent, Keisha Lance Bottoms, linked him to Trump, Jackson instead aligned himself with Georgia’s two-term GOP Gov. Brian Kemp.
Trump’s approval rating has reached a second-term low, with 30% of Americans approving and 68% disapproving, according to a Pew Research Center poll. This marks a 4-point decline since July and is close to his post-Jan. 6, 2021, low of 29%.
Republican candidates are navigating these dynamics as polls suggest the GOP faces potential losses in both the House and Senate. While some candidates seek to distance themselves from Trump’s policies, others continue to align closely with his agenda, reflecting broader divisions within the party ahead of the elections.